Edward Runci pin-up artist

Edward Runci (1921 to 1985) was an outstanding master of pinups in oil

Runci was a portrait artist in Hollywood when he was approached by a calendar company for pinups. Runci girls frequently get caught in compromising situations climbing a fence to flee a bull, dress blowing up on a Ferris Wheel ride.

His luxuriant brush strokes reveal a talent and skill comparable to Gil Elvgren, though Runci apparently is not a graduate of the Sundblom shop.

Runci's early 1950s girls are rosy-cheeked, voluptuous, often blonde Marilyn Monroe-types whose wholesome sensuality radiates off the canvas. He also dabbled in the glamour-gown sub-genre, creating startlingly life-like effects in the silky folds of garments.